Foxtel discovers The Real Bushrangers in Lawless

Next month Foxtel reveals the history of some very famous bushrangers.

Lawless – The Real Bushrangers is a four-part original landmark documentary series unearthing the truth behind Australia’s legendary outlaws.

Hosted by respected journalist Mike Munro (himself a descendant of bushrangers) we follow investigations into the past and deliver the findings to living descendants of both bushrangers and those who fought against them.

In each fascinating episode, the team focuses on a single bushranger legend; Ned Kelly (VIC), Ben Hall (NSW), Captain Moonlite (NSW) and the last of the wild colonial boys – Patrick & James Kenniff (QLD). All are larger than life characters involved in infamous events heavily shrouded in mystery and folklore. The bushrangers are heroes to some, villains to others and for their descendants who carry their legacy today; they are a cause of either pain and shame, or pride and glory. There are always two sides to every story. But how do we separate fact from fiction?

Enter Mike Munro and the specialist Lawless investigation team; Dr Kiera Lindsey (historian), Adam Ford (archaeologist) and Professor Roger Byard (forensic Pathologist). Together they use their skills to apply an objective and rigorous analysis of these pivotal events.

Revisiting existing and new historical evidence they use 21st century high-tech science to get beyond the myths. Using archaeology to literally break new ground and the latest forensic methods to test the historical evidence, the team illuminates a fact-based version of our history. In each case the key question they seek to answer is – what really happened?

Mike Munro said: “With bushrangers in my own family tree, Lawless was the chance of a lifetime to sort fact from fiction in these great yarns that have been handed down through the generations and find out what really happened.

“Working on this series for the last two years has been an absolute highlight of my career. It has been wonderful working with the terrific teams at both Genepool Productions and Foxtel. It’s about Australians, for Australians and I could not be more proud.”

Jim Buchan, General Manager – Factual said “The bushranger is an iconic character looming large within Australia’s history as well as national consciousness. This lawless era spanned an entire century, far longer than the 30 years of the American Wild West that’s been so amplified by Hollywood film and television. Australians, however, collectively know very little about these infamous individuals and the circumstances that created them.

“LAWLESS – The Real Bushrangers series will for the first time bring a completely new and contemporary perspective to one of the most fascinating eras in the story of Australia. I am therefore delighted that Mike Munro along with Genepool Productions will be bringing this new exciting series to the HISTORY channel audience for the first time.”

Sonya Pemberton, Executive Producer, Genepool Productions said “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Foxtel on this landmark series.

“It’s a remarkable opportunity to investigate our iconic bushranger stories in ways never before attempted in this country. Using archaeology, forensic science and taking a fresh view of history, LAWLESS – The Real Bushrangers will go behind the myths and offer evidence-based insights into events that shaped our nation.”

LAWLESS – The Real Bushrangers will premiere on Foxtel’s HISTORY channel on Tuesday, October 24 at 8.30pm (AEDT).